Page 123 of The Rivals' Touch

* * *

I knock softly on the door to my father’s office.

Somehow, I managed to evade Jacob after class. But Zayd is a different matter, since I live with him and have no choice but to face him eventually.

“Come in!”

I ease the door open and walk in, closing it softly behind me. This is the last place I want to be, but I have no choice. “Dad, I want to go back to Hedgewood High.”

My father stops writing in the notebook in front of him. He drops the pen and leans back in his chair. “Why the change of heart?”

I can’t tell him I need to be away from the three people I’m fucking. For everyone’s safety. “I don’t want to disappoint you again. I think it’s better to go to Hedgewood where I can spend more time with Bennett.” Lies and more lies.

My father watches me for a long moment, then picks up his pen and starts writing. “No.”

“No? But Dad—”

“You’re staying here where I can keep an eye on you.”

I steel my heart and close my eyes as I blurt, “Can I not stay with Bennett and Mr. Beaufort?”

I would rather jump into a bathtub of boiling water, but this thing between me, Zayd, Jacob and Legacy needs to end. Jacob made it clear today that I have no other choice but to remove myself from the situation, or he’ll keep coming after me.

“Did you enjoy Mr. Beaufort’s cock that much? Now you can’t wait to live under his roof?”

“I don’t fit in at Aycliffe.”

“My fiancé has taken a shine to you. You’re the daughter she never had.”

I snort. “You don’t love her. Don’t pretend I can’t move in with Bennett because your fiancé likes me.” It is the wrong thing to say.

“This has nothing to do with Bennett, does it?” He tracks me like a predator sizing up its prey. “This is about Zayd. Are you struggling to stay out of his bed?”

I look away.

“For your information, pumpkin, I’ve installed cameras in the hallway outside your bedroom. If you try anything, I will know about it.”

I grind my jaw but show no other outward emotion. “This has nothing to do with Zayd.”

It has everything to do with him. I pray I’m strong enough to keep up this charade. If they sink their teeth into me again and my father finds out, it’s game over.

My father hums. “You’re cunning, daughter. I’m impressed.”

“What?”

He scoots his seat back and stands up, running his hand over his tie. “You have too much of your mother in you.” He takes slow, calculated steps toward me. “She liked to play games too.”

I sink back against the door, fighting the urge to flee. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

My father cocks his head as he stops in front of me. “Oh, but you do. You think you can manipulate me.”

Refusing to be intimidated by him, I raise my chin and meet his dark gaze. “Maybe I’m more like my father?”

His dark chuckle sends shivers running down my back, not of the good kind. It’s a struggle not to fidget. “You want to hurt him.”

I stop breathing.

His calloused fingers trail down my throat, lingering at my collarbone. “You believe Zayd will step back if you hurt him. This request of yours has nothing to do with Bennett. It’s all to do with lover boy who sleeps in the bedroom next to yours.” His smile is cruel. He leans in and whispers, “You’re in love with him.”

Tears burn my eyes.

“Baby girl,” he soothes, brushing his lips over my temple. “I didn’t take you for a cunning fox. I’ve got to say, I’m impressed.” His hand slides between my legs, making my stomach turn. “I know just the thing to strike Zayd where it hurts.”

My heart bleeds inside my chest, but I lock my emotions away and steel myself. “I’m listening.”

“Good.” He lowers his zipper. “Let’s see what other deceitful webs of lies that tongue can spin.”

---